Clark’s signing signals Bears’ offensive direction

Monday

Feb 25, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 25, 2008 at 1:14 AM

Desmond Clark agreed. It looks like more two tight-end formations are in the Chicago Bears’ plans. How else do you explain the team extending the veteran’s contract for two more seasons through 2010, which it did Sunday?

Reed Schreck

Desmond Clark agreed. It looks like more two tight-end formations are in the Chicago Bears’ plans.

How else do you explain the team extending the veteran’s contract for two more seasons through 2010, which it did Sunday?

The team drafted fellow tight end Greg Olsen in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, and he obviously is a major component of the offense’s future. The fact Clark will be there as well might surprise some observers, although Clark’s not among them.

“It’s something I anticipated. It’s no big surprise,” he said on a conference call Monday from his Florida home. “I’m happy that Chicago was able to get it done for me, and see that I’m seen as part of the team going into the next three years.

“But you never know until you actually get it done.”

Clark has averaged 13.2 yards per reception over the past two seasons, tops in the league at his position. He has 181 catches for 2,115 yards and 15 touchdowns since joining Chicago as a free agent in 2003.

He can collect a reported $6.5 million over the life of the contract -- part of it might be considered coaching pay. He’s paid attention to Olsen’s development so far and plans to continue.

“Whether it’s right or it’s wrong, I try to help things out,” he said. “Greg came in with the right attitude that he wanted to work, and that’s all you can ask from first-rounders who pretty much have their life set for them as they step through the door. They can feel like they’ve got it made.

“But he came in and worked as hard as anybody on the field. When I saw that attitude, I couldn’t do anything but try to help him.”

Reflecting on 2007’s 7-9 record, Clark said the offense needs to become more consistent.

“We have to come out with an idea for what our offense is going to be,” he said. “We struggled with that at times. We need to come out and establish our identity early.”

He doesn’t know who will be throwing to him, be it recently signed Rex Grossman or fourth-year Kyle Orton.

“I have a familiarity with those guys, but that’s not good enough,” Clark said. “We can’t be content that we’ve been in this system for a while, that everyone knows what they’re doing. We’ve got to get better in the system.”

Reed Schreck is the NFL writer for the Rockford Register Star. Contact him at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.